Wrist-watch strap, band, or bracelet



C. FEID WRIST WATCH STRAP, BAND OR BRACELET Filed Decv 29, 1935 Patented July 23, 1935 WRIST-WATCH STRAP, BAND, OR BRACELET Charles Feicl, North Attleboro, Mass, assignor to Harold E. Sweet, doing business as R. F. Simmons Company, Attleboro, Mass.

Application December 29, 1933, Serial No. 704,382

16 Claims.

This invention relates to wrist-watch straps, bands and bracelets and particularly to a talontype bracelet comprising opposite arcuatelyshaped arms hingedly connected to the sides of 1 the watch and resiliently operated to clasp around the Wrist of the wearer. 7

One object of theinvention is to provide an improved means for hinging the arcuate arms or talons of the bracelet to the sides of the watchcase with the hinges embodying resilient means for swinging the arms into closed relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide hinging means of the type indicated which may be used with different types of wrist-watches having wire bails, lugs with spring-pins or other means on the watch-case for attaching the bracelet thereto. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge-device of thetype indicatedwhich is compact in size, neat and f nished in appearance, and efiicient for the purpose specified. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge-device of the type indicated having its mechanical elements entirely enclosed and concealed from view.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a hinge-.device'of the type indicated which is simple in construction, convenient for application to I the watch-case, andproof against derangement 30 or getting out of order.

t Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes the device asembodiedindifferent forms of construction illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing-a ladys wrist-watch of conventional type with springarms or talons connected to itssides by the present improved hinge-device; I

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the watch and talon bracelet illustrating the manner in Which the arms or talons may be swung into open position in placing 'the'bracelet on and removing it from the wrist;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial plan view of the watch and a portion of one of the talons or arms shown as connected thereto by the present im'- proved hinge-device; I v

Fig; 4 is an enlarged part-sectional detailed view of the improved hinge-device taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the ,arm or talon swung back on its hinge and also indicatingits closed position; I

Fig. 6 is a part-sectional view of the hingejoint taken: on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; 1

Fig. '7 is a composite perspective viewshowing a portion of the watch-case and the several parts of the hinge-joint in disconnected relationship;

Fig. 8 is an edge view of a portion of a watchcase showing the present improved hinge-joint as embodied in a bearing-member formed integral with the watch-case; and. v

Fig. 9 is a partsectional view of the same taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8. i Various types of straps, bands, linkages and bracelets are used with wrist-watches and most of these require some form of ,claspor buckle for connecting their ends and adjusting them in length to fit the wrist. The present invention contemplates the use of a two-part strap, band or bracelet having opposite arcuately-shaped arms or talons hinged. to the sides of the watchcase to adapt them to clasp around the wrist, thereby eliminating the use of buckles, mechanical clasps, extension-devicesorthe like which are apt to get out of order and become worn and broken in use. Moreover, the present talon type of bracelet provides greater ease and convenience in placing the Watch on or removing it from the wrist while being adapted to fitwrists of varying size without requiring manual adjustment;

The present improved hinge-device is similar in some respects to that disclosed in an application for patent Serial No. 697,410, filed November 10, 1933, by the present inventor and Charles A. Mealy. In the device of the prior application the hinge-joint for the talon bracelet is intended for use particularly with watches having lugs on their sides to which the bracelet is connected by means of a telescopicspring-pin, pintle or the like. The-present hinge-joint is adapted for use with watch-cases having lugs of the aforementioned character, but is particularly designed for use with ladies watches, the cases of which are usually provided with loops or bails on their sides for attachment of the bracelet. The present improved hinge-joint may also be applied touse with the hingeor bearing-member constructe as an integral part of the watch-case.

Referring to the present, drawing, Fig. 1 represents a ladys wrist-watchl of baguette shape having loop-like wire bails 3 at its sides or ends to which different types of bracelets may be attached. The bails 3 serve as the attaching means for connecting the present improved hinge-joint to the Watch-case 2, the hinge being embodied in a bearing-member 5 constructed as next de scribed. Referring particularly to Figs 6. and '7 the bearing-member 5 is constructed with a hublike portion 6 on the side of which is a laterallyextending cylindrical sleeve 1. The sleeve 1 may be made integral with the main bearing-member 5 and to adapt it for attachment to the bail of a watch of the type illustrated in Fig. 1 the sleeve is split longitudinally at 8 for receiving the bail. The main body of the member 5 projects to one side of the tubular portion I to adapt it to overlie the side of the watch-case 2 and, preferably, a curved lip or ear I0 projects therefrom at one side of the tubular portion I for engagement with the edge of the watch-case as shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 6.

In attaching the bearing-member 5 to the watch-case 2 the slitted or split sleeve I is sprung over the wire bail 3 and closed together by compressing it therearound. Thereafter, the end of the lip or ear I0 may be bent over, if necessary, to engage snugly against the side or edge of the watch-case to serve as an abutment for preventing the hinge-member 5 from rocking or turning on the bail. Through this arrangement a neat joinder of the hinge-member with the watch-case is accomplished without unsightly projections or open seams. v

The hub 6 of the bearing-member 5 is preferably of less axial length than the tubular connecting sleeve I but of greater diameter. The hub 6 is formed with a relatively large bore or cylindrical chamber II extending laterally thereof and secured fast within one end of the bore is a collar or bushing I2. The bushing I2 may be forced into the bore II or soldered or otherwise secured in place therein. Extending radially of the bushing I2 is a slot I5 registering with a slot cut through the end of the hub 6as shown most clearly in Figs. 6 and 7.

The slot I5 serves as a means for anchoring the end of a helical spring I6 housed within the bore II and arranged to act resiliently on the talon arm 20 which is pivotally connected to the bearing-member 5 in the manner as later explained. The spring I6,-shown in detail in Fig. 7, consists in a helical coil of tempered wire,one end I! of which is adapted to project into the slot I5 whi1e its other end extends radially in an arm I8 bent at right-angles at I9.

The bracelet arms or talons 20 may be of any preferred form, being herein shown as constructed from sheet-metal stamped or blanked out in strips and bent or formed double in dies. Referring to Figs. 4, 6 and '7, each talon 2!! comprises overlying strips 2| and 22 of tapering outline disposed in closely abutting relationship throughout the greater part of their length. Toward their wider ends'the two strips 2I and 22 are spaced apart at an increasing distance to form top and bottom walls which are connected by tapering side walls 23. The endsof the top and bottom walls of 4 the arm 20 are cut away at 24 to form a bifurcated portion having an opening proportioned to the width of the hub 6 on the bearing-member 5. The opposite portions 25 at the ends of the arm 20 are thus adapted to straddle and overlie the ends of the hub 6, being provided with holes 26 for receiving a pivot-pin-or rivet 39 extending axially of the bore of the hub. The arm 20 is assembled on the hinge-element or bearing-member 5 in the manner as next explained.

spring is placed under torsion by winding it up from its arm I8. The talon arm 20 is next placed in position with its end portions 25 straddling the sides of the hub 6, the arm I8 of the spring I6 being meanwhile inserted into the hollow end of the arm 20. The pin 30 is then inserted through one of the holes 26 in the side of the arm 20 and pushed through the coils of the spring 6. The pin 30 is thus seated in the bore of the bushing I2 with its ends projecting through the holes 26 in the sides of the bearing-portion of the arm 20 and riveted thereover to secure it in place, see Fig. 6.

With the parts assembled in the manner as above explained the hinge-joint is applied to the watch by simply slipping the split sleeve I over the wire bail 3 and closing it therearound while adjusting the ear I0 snugly against the side of the watch-case 2. With both of the bearing-members 5 attached to the sides of the watch in this manner the curved arms or'talons 20 are controlled by their springs I6 to swing them toward each other into closed relationship; it being understood that each spring I6 is held under torsion with its arm I8 pressing against the inner or bottom wall of the hollow arm 20. Usually, the springs are wound up under such torsion that they will swing the arms 20 toward each other until the edges of the inner Walls 2| of the arms strike against the flat bottom surfaces of the bearing-members 5 as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 5; the engagement of these surfaces serving to limit the swinging movement of thearms. To place thebracelet on the wrist the arms 20 are swung back into the position illustrated by the dash lines in Fig. 2 and upon their release they will be closed together'to snugly clasp around the wrist with their ends in somewhat overlapped relationship, depending of course upon the size of the wrist, y r

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a modificationin the form of the invention wherein the hinge-member is formed as an integral part of the watchcase or soldered or otherwise permanently secured thereto. In this embodiment of the invention a lug or ear 35 on the side of the watchcase 34 is formed with an enlarged bore 36 for housing the spring I6. The bore 36 has a bushing 31 at its end formed with a slot for receiving the bent end H of the spring I6 and the talon or arm 20 is of the same hollow construction with the hinge-pin 30 riveted through holes in its sides. It will be understood that this latter form of construction of the invention is intended for use with watch-cases having bracelets applied thereto at the factory where the watches are made; whereas, with the first-described form of the invention, the hinge-member is adapted to be applied by the jeweler or other tradesman selling the watch and bracelet as separate articles.

The attachable hinge-joint or bearing-member may be made in different sizes for watches which vary considerably in their dimensions, but a single size may be adapted to fit many different sizes of watches by shortening the tubular connection or split sleeve on the bearing-member as required. The device is therefore practically universal in its application to use, being capable of attachment to watches having either bails or lugs on their sides.

While the device is herein illustrated and described as embodied in a preferred form. of construction with one modification as shown, it is to be understood that other changes may vbe made in the structure and arrangementof its parts within the scope of the-appended claims.

Therefore, without'limiting myself in this respect, I- claim: r

1. A band or bracelet for wrist-watches com--' prising 'opposite arms shaped to conform substantially to the contour ofthe wrist; andhinging means for pivotally connectingan'arm to the watch-case comprising a hollow bearingmember on'thecase, a helical spring housedin said hollow member and held under tension; and means for; pivotally connecting the arm tothe bearing -member with one end of the spring acting on the arm to swing it on its pivot. h

2."A band or braceletx'for wrist-watches comprising a pair of opposite talons shaped substantially to thecontour of the wrist, and means for hingedly connecting a talon to the watch-case comprising a hollow bearing-member mounted on the side of the case, a helical spring housed in said bearing-member with one end secured fast therewith, and a pivot-pin extending through the end of the talon and through the bearing-member axially of the spring with one end of the spring acting against the talc-n to swing the latter on its pivot-pin.

3. In combination with a watch-case, a pair of talon-like arms adapted to clasp around the wrist, and means for pivotally connecting an arm to the side of the watch-case comprising a bearing-member formed with a bore with a slot communicating therewith, a helical spring housed in the bore of the bearing-member with one end engaging the slot and provided with an extension at its opposite end, and a pivot-pin extending through the bore of the bearing-member to hingedly connect the arm thereto with the extension of the spring engaging against the arm to swing the latter on its pivot.

4. In combination with a watch-case, a bearing-member fixed to the side thereof and formed with a transverse bore, an arm having a hollow portion shaped to straddle the sides of the bearing-member, a. pivot-pin extending through the bearing-member and arm to hingedly support the latter, and a helical spring housed in the bore of the bearing-member with one end secured from turning therein and its opposite end extending into the hollow portion of the arm to bear against the wall thereof to swing the arm on its pivot.

5. In combination with a watch-case having a loop on its side, a bearing-member having a portion surrounding the loop to secure it to the watch-case, said bearing-member having a transverse bore, a helical spring housed in the bore of the bearing-member and held under torsion with one end extending substantially radially therefrom, a hinge pin extending through the bore in the bearing-member, and an arm having portions straddling the sides ofthe bearingmember and pivotally mounted on the ends of the hinge-pin in position for the end of the spring to act to swing the arm.

6. In combination with a watch-case, a bearing-member fixed to the side thereof and formed with a transverse bore, an arm having a hollow portion at its end bifurcated to straddle the sides of the bearing-member, a hinge-pin extending through the bore in the bearing-member and engaging holes in the sides of the arm to hingedly connect the latter to the watch-case, and a helical spring housed in the bore of the bearingmember with one end held from turning and its opposite end extending into the interior of the a portion shaped to engage around the loop to attach the bearing-member to the case adjacent the sidethereof, said bearing-member having a hub-like portion formed with a lateral bore, an

arm having a bifurcated end adapted to straddle the hub portion of the bearing-inembena pivot pin extending through the bearing-member and the sides of said arm to hingedly connect the latter to the watch-case, and azspnngactin between the bearing-member'and the arm to swing thel'atter-onth'e pivot-pin. I e 8. In combination witha watch-case having a bail on its side, a bearing-member formed with a tubular portion adapted to fit around the bail and a portion adapted to bear against the side of the watch-case to hold the bearing-member from turning with respect thereto, said bearingmember formed with a hub-like portion having a lateral bore, an arm having a bifurcated end adapted to straddle the sides of the hub on the bearing-member, means for pivoting the arm to the bearing-member, and a spring acting between the bearing-member and the arm to swing the latter on its pivot.

9. In combination with a watch-case having a bail, a bearing-member having a portion adapted to engage around the bail and provided with means abutting a portion of the watch-case to prevent turning movement of the bearing-member on the bail, an arm hinged to the bearingmember, and a spring acting between the bearingmember and the arm to swing the latter on its hinge.

10. In combination with a watch-case having a bail on its side, a bearing-member having a longitudinally split tubular portion adapted to engage around the bail to attach it fixedly to the side of the watch-case, said bearing-member being shaped to engage a portion of the watch-case to prevent it from turning on the bail, an arcuate arm hinged to the bearing-member to swing on an axis extending transversely thereof, and a spring acting between the bearing-member and the arm to swing the latter on its hinge.

11. In combination with a watch-case having a bail, a bearing-member provided with a portion adapted to engage around the bail to attach said member to'the watch-case, bendable means on said bearing-member shaped to engage a portion of the watch-case to prevent turning of the bearing-member on the bail, an arm hinged to the bearing-member, and a spring having one end held in the bearing-member and its opposite end engaging the arm to swing the latter on its hinge.

12. In combination with a watch-case having a bail, a hollow bearing-member having means to clamp around the bail for attaching it fixedly to the watch-case, means for preventing the bearing-member from turning on the bail, an arcuate arm hinged to the bearing-member to adapt it to partly encircle the wrist, and a spring housed in the bearing-member with one end held thereby and its opposite end engaging the arm to swing the latter on its hinge.

13. In a device of the type indicated, the combination of an arcuately-shaped arm, and means for hingedly connecting said arm to a watchcase to adapt it to swing with respect thereto comprising a hollow bearing-member, means for attaching said bearing-member to the bail on the side of a watch-case, means for pivoting said arm to said bearing-member, and a helical spring enclosed in said bearing-member, said spring having one end held in the bearing-member'with its opposite end engaging the arm to swing the latter on its pivot.

14. In combination with a watch-case, a hingepin, means for mounting the pin on the side of the watch-case, an arcuately-shaped arm hinged to the pin to adapt it to partly enclose the Wrist, a helical spring coiled around the pin with one end held from turning and its opposite end acting on the arm to swing the latter, and means enclosing the spring.

15. In combination with a watch-case, a hollow bearing-member on the case, an arm pivotally connected to said bearing member at one end and shaped to partly enclose the wrist, and a spring enclosed within said bearing-member and held under tension to act on the arm to swing the latter.

16. In combination with a watch-case, a pair of talon-like arms adapted to clasp around the wrist, means for pivotally connecting the arms to the sides of the watch-case, a helical spring extending coaxially of the pivot for each arm, a hollow bearing enclosing the spring, means for connecting one end of the spring to move with the arm, and means for connecting the opposite end of the spring to the watch-case to maintain the spring under torsion, said springs tending to hold the arms in clasped relationship.

CHARLES FEID. 

